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Friday, April 9, 2010

I'll Know You By Heart

I'll Know You By HeartKimberly Job

The day Stephanie Roberts met Jared Wakefield, she didn't realize they'd met before. Running from an abusive marriage and trying to safeguard her children, she turns to Jared for support, but he needs more from her than she might be capable of giving. With her abusive husband looming in her past, the difficulties they must overcome to be together seem insurmountable.

Is it possible for love to conquer all? I'll Know You By Heart is a timeless romance that explores the possibility that relationships span the entire realm of eternity. A story about abuse, hardship, and betrayal, it is ultimately a story about the healing power of everlasting true love. I knew before I had finished the third page that this would not be an easy read for me. And I was right. Not because it was a poorly crafted story- no that was not the problem here. The problem came because Stephanie's story could easily have been my story. And that made it hard to read.

But the things that made it hard to read for me are the very things that make this story real. Kimberly did a great job in capturing the emotions, feelings and thoughts that abused women feel. There were times that I cried thinking about lost time, times I felt validated knowing someone else had the same thoughts- even if that person was a fictional character.

Now having gotten that out of the way, on to the story. Stephanie's husband, Mark, was really a jerk. I think Kimberly got his need for control just right, she was not heavy handed in her treatment of him, but allowed us to see his mood swings and the abuse cycle. There was one place in the book that I was holding my breath as Stephanie gave Mark a bit of trust regarding their children. I wanted to scream- NO, Don't do it!! knowing full well the reasons why she was and had to.

It was nice to see Stephanie's transformation as well. I am glad this was not a book where the woman is abused on page one, leaves on page 15 and is whole and emotionally healthy by page 30 with no residual thoughts or feelings haunting her every move.

I would have liked to see more of the progression of the development of Stephanie and Jared's relationship, but overall this was a very true to life story. If you know someone that has experienced some form of domestic abuse (and it comes in more forms than hitting) I would recommend reading this story- it might help you understand just a bit more.

2 comments:

I think I want to read this one. Then again maybe not. I struggle not to identify with books of this nature. I hate seeing myself that way, but life has been what it has been. Thank goodness the road to recovery is getting shorter and I can actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have, however, found my happily ever after in a place I NEVER thought I would. Just myself and my children, living a peaceful, (well, most of the time) life and continuing on down the road. Heavenly Father is the best partner I've ever had. :-) Thanks for sharing your insights, I really enjoy your book reviews Sandra, you have an extraordinary talent for it. (BTW, my older brother just found Dave's Book three in HARD COVER, for $4.00 at Seagull Book. I am SO jealous!) Have a wonderful weekend! I hope something really awesome happens for you! :-)